Born in
Athens, Alabama, Martin attended the common schools, the high school in Green Springs, Alabama, and the
University of Alabama at Tuscaloosa. He was graduated from
Centre College,
Danville, Kentucky, in 1856. He studied law. He was
admitted to the bar in 1858 and commenced practice in
Tuscaloosa, Alabama. He served as member of the State senate in 1871–1876 and served as president pro tempore in 1873–1876. He was professor of equity jurisprudence in the
University of Alabama in 1875–1886. Martin was elected as a
Democrat to the
Forty-ninth Congress (March 4, 1885 – March 3, 1887). He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1886 to the
Fiftieth Congress. He resumed the practice of law in
Birmingham, Alabama. He died in
Bowling Green, Kentucky, June 16, 1898. He was interred in Greenwood Cemetery,
Tuscaloosa, Alabama. ==References==